Self-Portraiting

“There’s room for everybody on the planet to be creative and conscious if you are your own person. If you’re trying to be like somebody else, then there is isn’t.” — Tori Amos

“Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.” — Miguel Angel Ruiz

I’m too tired to write this. But I have nothing but love for this idea and this community, so I’m going to give it a stab. Besides, it’s been floating around in my head for a few weeks, and it’s somewhere I’d like to go with y’all… I’d go alone, but it’s never as fun as with friends, right?

Well. Let’s qualify that. I’m an introvert. That statement doesn’t always work.

But, in this realm of which I dream, the destination is worth sharing with friends.

I type of self-portraiting. (I like that word. My spell-checker says it isn’t real. So.)

I’m still finding out who I am as a creative being, and right now the journey has me doing a bit of wandering. But with every new discovery, I’m learning more about myself: My medium(s) of choice (that “s” is very important), my muses and inspirations, my words, my tones, my rhythms. All of it. I’m writing less songs, but dang if the ones that fly out of me aren’t the most honest words I’ve written in a long time.

So here I am–dreaming of self-portraiting. I want to take a medium and use it to further who My Creator created me to be. See. I’m also trying to get to know Him a bit better as well, but that’s an other post for another hazy morning.

Here’s the journey. It’s actually a challenge. A challenge to, by the end of this month, do a sort of self-portrait. A capturing of the essence of self.

And I want to challenge you to do the same. I’ve been anticipating this for a while–and am excited about the photos, sketches, collages, songs, and even pies, cakes, paintings, and sculptures that might come of this.

So, but the end of the month, we will have done a Portrait of Self. And we will have shared it with me and with others in this community.

Deal?

Deal.

(If you know others who want to participate, please tell them about this. mkaythx)

29 thoughts on “Self-Portraiting”

Wow, I read this while having my coffee this morning and it resonated deep within me. I’m in.

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 1:42 pm said:

Well, honestly Michelle, I had you in mind when I got this idea. Not sure why. I guess there’s a reason though!

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I like this. Been learning a lot and wandering a lot through the crevices of the creative soul God made me to be as well.

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 2:14 pm said:

Wow Erin. I’m excited to see what you might bring to this journey!

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I might be too introverted to share…but I’ll be following along…

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm said:

How about an anonymous submission? You can email it to me.

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- mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm said:
  
  Of course, anyone reading this stream will know it’s yours! shoot…..
  
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totally in. considering the journey that is beginning for me, and the challenge that I’ve committed to {seriously, half an hour ago I got a call and was asked to play keys on a couple of tracks that some buddies are recording…and they are “for real, professional” musicians, so EEEEEKKKKK!!!!}, being more conscious of self, and more in tune with the Creator is something I need to move me into the uncomfortable. and I miss the piano. I haven’t played enough. okay, so I won’t blog here!! I’ll let this mingle in my head and share my thoughts as they develop…mmmm!!!

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 2:17 pm said:

Saw you mention the phone call on twitter or something. I’m SO excited for you!!! Wow. And I’m excited that you’re gonna do this little challenge thingy too. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

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- Cori on July 13, 2011 at 6:40 pm said:
  
  dude. it’s summer vacation. I have time!! and for me, this is often my biggest challenge…
  
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  - mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 10:47 pm said:
    
    Well, Cori-Dude, I’m excited to see where this Challenge takes you!
    
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I will defintely try to come up with something by the end of the month. Even if it’s just in the form of a comment.

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 2:17 pm said:

You can do it, Tay! But it must rhyme. You know. I think you can come up with something better than a comment.

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Deal!

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 4:48 pm said:

I wish you could see the smile on my face Sherry!

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Self portrait as I see myself:

http://edfromct.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/6a00d83451f25369e2010535d2cb7e970c-800wi.jpg

As everyone else sees me:

http://edfromct.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/grumpy_old_man.jpg

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 10:48 pm said:

haha! Smart, Ed. I like both of these.

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okay….i’ve been mulling this over and i’m in. no idea how it will end up looking, but i’m in. =)

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mandythompson on July 13, 2011 at 10:47 pm said:

I like the fact that you considered this before committing, Katy. Being thoughtful and intentional–you’ll go further in life.

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Although I am a 110% extrovert, this is a REAL challenge… But I am excited … real excited…. I may see something I have never seen before.

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mandythompson on July 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm said:

Yay!!!! Bring it, H!

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Count me in!
How are ya? I’ve been on vacation for the past two weeks…not looking forward to work on monday. Been gettin back to my small town roots, running, hiking,camping! Can’t wait to do my self portrait.

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mandythompson on July 14, 2011 at 9:29 pm said:

heyyyy!!! I hope you had a great vacation! I’m glad you were all into roughing it and not into the all the internet stuffs!

I’m doing ok these days. Been having dreams of the imaginary kid(s) we could adopt. It’s all in the recesses of my head right now even though we’re waiting to start training classes. So, I guess, in short, I feel preoccupied.

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